Name: Ahtziri Rios-Aguirre
Year: 4th
Major: Biological Sciences
Position: Class Manager
Biography: I am a first generation college student from Pasadena, CA, and I am very enthusiastic to be a part of the DIM team! My passion for the sciences stemmed from my high school biology and genetics classes; combined with my strong interest in volunteering, I realized that I wanted to become a physician in the future to care for underserved populations. Outside of school, I enjoy playing golf, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.
What Diversity Means to Me: Diversity is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the differences that make each one of us unique. It is a way in which we can dismantle the idea of categorizing individuals and see society as a whole; with different people coming together and sharing their own unique backgrounds to form a collective identity.
What I Gained From the Class: As an aspiring physician, it is important for me to educate myself about ways to properly attend to my patients and acquire the skills needed to create a safe environment for them. Through DIM, I have had the opportunity to learn more about current disparities in healthcare, the importance of being open-minded and mindful, and surround myself with others who share an interest in improving patient care. After taking this course, I find myself feeling more passionate and excited to become a physician as well as knowledgeable of the difficulties that many face in the healthcare field. Ultimately, the DIM team provides a very enlightening course experience, which I highly recommend to everyone, despite career choice.